Special Edition: Laura Case appointed VP, Employee Engagement

Vancouver Coastal Health is home to immense talent and expertise across our organization. As President and CEO, I am committed to doing what I can to ensure we not only keep it that way, but engage all of you in ways that help you to be the best that you can be and make VCH even stronger. My VCH is just one example of how I believe we can do that.

I am also a believer of looking within the organization to find, support and challenge the talent we have to take on roles that takes them outside their comfort zone for the benefit of them and VCH.

That’s why I am pleased to appoint Laura Case to the leadership role for the Employee Engagement portfolio. Laura is well-known for her energy, enthusiasm and fresh approach through her position as Chief Operating Officer for Vancouver Community – a responsibility she will maintain as a shared leadership responsibility. Laura brings these and many other positive attributes to the leadership of Employee Engagement to build on the strong platform that already exists. Also, because the human resources function is so critical to the success of VCH, I believe there are a number of benefits to promoting a known leader with a strong commitment to the culture change we are driving through My VCH, as well as a synergistic fit with the senior team.

Laura brings a strong sense of what is needed to move our employee engagement commitment to the next level, having been an active customer of this corporate service for many years at both Fraser Health and VCH.  Further, she will be supported by arguably the best health care human resources leadership team in the country in terms of experience and a proven track record of accomplishments.

As for her Vancouver Community portfolio, it also has a strong team of well-established directors and managers who are equally well known for their effective leadership and ability to make a positive impact for clients who are arguably some of the most challenging and complex in VCH. I expect Laura to work with her Vancouver Community team to discuss any future changes within the portfolio necessary to support her new expanded responsibilities over the next few weeks.

Laura’s appointment will be effective as of January 1, 2018 immediately upon Anne Harvey’s retirement. I encourage you to welcome Laura into her new role and join me in again thanking Anne Harvey for her fantastic leadership over the past decade.

Mary Ackenhusen
President and CEO